Counting in Loglan

Language overview

Loglan (for Logical language) is a constructed language created in 1955 by James Cooke Brown for linguistic research. Intended to test the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis (shortly, the hypothesis that the structure of a language affects the ways in which its speakers are able to conceptualize their world), it is designed to be regular and unambiguous, and as culturally neutral as possible. It has later been followed by the Lojban language.

Loglan numbering rules

Compound numbers are formed by juxtaposing their composing digits names to each others. Thus, we can form neni [10] (one zero), foto [42] (four two), sevo [78] (seven eight)…

When two zeroes are following each other, the word for hundred (ma) is used instead of nini: nema [100], toma [200], tema [300], foma [400], fema [500]… Compound hundreds are formed like other compound numbers (e.g.: vonive [809]).

When three zeroes are following each other, the word for thousand (mo) is used instead of ninini: nemo [1,000], tomo [2,000], temo [3,000], fomo [4,000], femo [5,000]… Compound thousands are formed like other compound numbers (e.g.: tomovo [2,008], teninefo [3,014], fesovevo [5,698]).

Millions are formed by prefixing the million word (momo, or two times three zeroes) by its multiplier (e.g.: nemomo [one million], tomomo [two million], tevemomo [39 million]).